Service-learning is an educational approach that uses community service to meet both classroom learning objectives and societal needs. Service Learning takes our students service experience to an enhanced level because it combines our required community service with academic instruction, community assessment, and self reflection.

Among the Service Learning opportunities afforded to students at DePaul Catholic are:

• Midnight Run - going to New York City at midnight to feed and clothe the homeless.
• Sorting food at the food pantry - our many hands can do a week's work in a few hours.
• The Angel Project - sorting and unpacking Christmas gift donations for the Straight and Narrow community.

In addition to Service Learning, the Interact Club, which comes together to plan service projects and activities in coordination with the Theology classes, sponsors numerous projects throughout the year. Several are listed below.

• School Supplies drive - collecting school supplies for the Straight and Narrow community.
• Food Drives - not only for Thanksgiving, but through the year to help the hungry.
• Halloween Costumes and Prom Dresses Collections.
• Socks and Underwear Drives.

The Peer Ministry Team has been an important part of the history of DePaul Catholic High School. The student leaders of this ministry have a reputation among their teachers and peers as servant leaders, role models, and outstanding representatives of the school.

Peer Ministry Team members are expected to:

• Attend regular meetings once a month throughout the school year, (times of the meetings will be posted in a regular pattern and may be either in person or virtual depending on the situation).
• Set a good example as a role model for other students (Appropriate uniform, use appropriate language and manners, and more within the school and outside in the community).
• Take leadership responsibilities to organize and implement discussions, projects, retreats, and the like.
• Assist in planning and participating in retreats across all grade levels (Peer Ministry Class).
• Volunteer for other activities at the request of the Campus Ministry Team.
• Serve at Mass as a lector, altar server, gift bearer, Eucharistic Minister.
• Lead group discussions on student retreats.
• Give talks at student retreats.
• Participate in school-wide Advent and Lenten reflections/prayer services.
• Lead school-wide morning prayer over the P.A. system and offer to lead prayer in the classroom. (See Sr. Jeanne and your classroom teachers)
• Lead prayer at other school events, such as orientation days.

Any interested student from grades (10-12) can complete an application and sponsor form. Based upon a student's application and adult sponsor form, qualified candidates will be interviewed by one or more members of the Campus Ministry Team. This interview will be the final determining factor regarding acceptance to the Peer Ministry Team.